Hi Cheryl,
While I would recommend a Multiple Myeloma Specialist on my healthcare team it is very understandable that it can be very situational. By situational I mean limitations in your location from a MM Specialist, difficulty in your MM case, financial issues, personal mobility ,transportation,and other life factors. I am able to choose a Dana Farber collaborative in Maine that works closely with my MM Specialist which is ideal. I am able to take an Amtrak train to Boston and stay overnight to schedule visits with my MM Specialist at Dana Farber. This can be burdensome to many patients. If you can contact the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation they can recommend a MM Specialist within your geographic area ,and a highly qualified local oncologist. Coordination between a MM Specialist and local oncologist is the ideal situation. If you can get a highly qualified local oncologist by contacting MMRF that is also a close to ideal situation. If the local oncologist can collaborate with a MM Specialist that is ideal. My MM Specialist conducted video conference calls using telehealth during Covid , and this is a possibility again.

What specifically is a healthcare team. I had my treatments and lab testing at my local cancer center , interpretation of results and coordinating treatment with a local oncologist. My oncology nurses gave me infusions and assisted me with addressing side effects of the medications and my MM. My local general practitioner addresses my illnesses and I communicated my lab results and data to him for meeting needs outside of my multiple myeloma.

If you have any questions we can message. I hope this helps.

I agree with all the statements above. There are many benefits to being treated by a specialist if one is available to you, that’s the way to go. If not, hope your local oncologist will be able to consult with a specialist. Our diagnosis is so complex and diverse. We need someone who knows what they’re doing.

Having a oncologist specialist is helpful because of the experience they have in treating the MM. Also they have resources to help with payment and medicine.

An additional advantage to having a strong MM team is their familiariarity with grant applications.
I have been the recipient of 3 different grants in the last 18 months and the peace of mind it brought has been wonderful.

Good morning my MM Family, one of the biggest factors to me is the confidence you have in your oncologist or MM specialist. If you don’t feel confident then I don’t think you get the results. So I look for the doctor that gives me confidence and takes the time to explain. Even if you are the very best doctor in the world without these assets I wouldn’t feel comfortable. I’ve been more than pleased with my oncologist. And have gotten great results. Best of luck on your journey!!